Fernando Llorente returned for pre-season training with Swansea City this week sporting the effects of his cycling tumble which left him battling to be fit for the start of the new Premier League season.

The Spaniard, scorer of 15 goals in Swansea’s successful fight against the drop, fractured a bone in his forearm and turned up at Fairwood in a sling.

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Only this did not look like the sort of sling any of us might expect to handed out at A&E were we ever to break any bones falling of our own bikes. Indeed, some in Spain described the sling as making Llorente resemble ‘Robocop’.

Here, we take a closer look at the contraption, and whether it will help speed up the striker’s recovery...

Fernando Llorente celebrates scoring against West Brom

So what is it?

The sling is made by a company called Ossur and is called the Innovator X Post-Op Elbow, although it should be noted Llorente has not needed to undergo surgery on his injury.

Their website’s description of the model reads: “Benefiting from our proven, patented technologies, Innovator X, with extending struts, can help improve patient outcomes. With superior comfort, clean aesthetics and the most user-friendly hinge in post-op bracing, Innovator X was designed to increase patient satisfaction and compliance.”

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How does it work?

As with most slings, it’s basic use is to stabilise the arm after injuries or surgery, allowing the healing process to progress smoothly without risking re-injury during the rehabilitation stage. But the model Llorente wears is more accommodating in terms of allowing him to continue to exercise and get in some valuable work during pre-season.

Do the Swans approve of it?

While you might expect the club’s medical team to be less than delighted with the use of a device or method of treatment not assigned by themselves, the Swans doctors and physios have been impressed by the device and appreciate the greater range of options it gives them for recovery.

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How does it help Llorente recover?

It does not directly help Llorente recover, but it helps in terms of access to the injury and the stability required to build the striker’s fitness for the new season.

The device Llorente is using provides greater stability, holding the arm firmly in place and not allowing too much flex or movement meaning he can run on a treadmill, use an exercise bike and carry out hydrotherapy work in the pool.

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So, he should be back sooner than originally thought?

Not necessarily. While the Innovator X does help Llorente take on as much physical work as he can while his team-mates get stuck in to a full pre-season schedule, it does not mean the injury will heal any quicker.

But Swansea are still optimistic he will be ready for the Premier League opener at Southampton.